Chicago: Mayor Brandon Johnson Joins La Case Norte, Ald. Jessie Fuentes to Break Ground on The North Hotel, New Youth Serving Non-congregate Shelter in Humboldt Park

CHICAGO ~ Chicago Mayor Breaks Ground on Non-Congregate Shelter for Homeless Youth

In a move to support and empower disadvantaged youth, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson joined Ald. Jessie Fuentes (26th), Department of Housing Commissioner Lissette Castañeda, Department of Family and Support Services Commissioner Angela Green, the team at La Casa Norte, and members of the Humboldt Park community to break ground on La Casa Norte's North Hotel.

The North Hotel, a City-supported non-congregate shelter designed to serve young adults experiencing homelessness, will provide safe, private, and dignified housing for those in need. Mayor Johnson emphasized the importance of this project in his administration's commitment to building a safer and more affordable Chicago.

"Supporting our youth by providing safe, private, and dignified housing is at the center of our administration's commitment to building a safer, more affordable Chicago," said Mayor Brandon Johnson. "La Casa Norte's North Hotel will help support Chicago's shelter system while ensuring disadvantaged youth have access to critical support resources."

Ald. Fuentes also expressed her personal connection to the project as a former educator and child of Humboldt Park. She believes that the North Hotel will be a life-giving sanctuary for vulnerable young adults in the community.

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"As a former educator and child of Humboldt Park, this project is personal," said Ald. Fuentes. "La Casa Norte's North Hotel will be the life-giving sanctuary that my most vulnerable former students could have benefitted from."

The City-backed project is part of Mayor Johnson's ongoing effort to expand housing options and employment opportunities for disadvantaged youth. La Casa Norte acquired the former North Hotel at 1622 N. California Avenue with plans to rehabilitate it into an expansive shelter serving unhoused youth ages 18-24.

The facility will include 40 rooms with private bedrooms, en-suite bathrooms, and mini kitchenettes to promote privacy, dignity, and safety. It will operate 24/7 and provide a comprehensive array of services to support youth in their transition towards long-term housing stability, self-sufficiency, and independence.

"Youth come to La Casa Norte in crisis, unsure of what the future holds," said Jose M. Muñoz, CEO of La Casa Norte. "The North Hotel youth non-congregate shelter gives them a space of their own to heal, and a team dedicated to helping them dream again. This is the future of how we end youth homelessness."

The project is being supported by $4.09 million through the Chicago Neighborhood Recovery Program, with an additional $2 million in funding from the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and $500,000 from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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DFSS Commissioner Angela Green expressed her excitement for the project's potential to provide accessibility and comprehensive support services for youth experiencing homelessness.

"DFSS is proud to have partnered with the Chicago Department of Housing and La Casa Norte throughout the planning, site selection, and acquisition of this new facility," said Commissioner Green. "We are excited for the renovations that will bring accessibility and comprehensive support services for youth experiencing homelessness."

The redevelopment is particularly significant in Humboldt Park, where high levels of gentrification and displacement have been experienced in recent years. To ensure lasting affordability, the property must remain a shelter, permanent supportive housing, or affordable housing for at least 30 years.

The project builds on successful stabilization housing models first piloted during the COVID-19 pandemic. As part of DOH's Non-Congregate Shelter Acquisition (NCS) program, Mayor Johnson's administration is working to convert approximately 300 traditional shelter beds into non-congregate settings that offer greater privacy and supportive services.

Residents have already begun to move into the building while rehabilitation of the main floor is underway. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2027, providing much-needed support and resources for homeless youth in the Humboldt Park community.

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